Stvg Regulatory News (STVG)

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STV ANNOUNCES LAUNCH DATE FOR NEW CHANNEL, STV2

10 April 2017

STV announces that new channel, STV2, will launch at 1700 on Monday 24 April to viewers across Scotland.

STV2 will reflect what is happening across Scotland with a distinct and exciting schedule, featuring live events, news and new programming including soap, drama and movies.

On Monday 24 April, STV's existing city TV channels for Glasgow and Edinburgh will be rebranded and combined with three new licences for Aberdeen, Ayr and Dundee under one distinct brand, STV2. The channel will broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week on Freeview channel 8, Sky channel 117, Virgin channel 159 and will be streamed online via the STV Player.

STV2 is the first channel of its kind committed to delivering choice for consumers in Scotland with a unique blend of content and an enhanced news service. The launch will mark the start of STV's landmark new service for Scotland, STV News Tonight. Presented by Halla Mohieddeen, the new programme will air weeknights at 1900 on STV2. STV News Tonight offers a comprehensive service of Scottish, UK and international news from a Scottish perspective. The STV2 schedule will also include hourly news bulletins and three dedicated half hour news programmes at 1300, 1800 and 2200.

Bobby Hain, director of channels at STV, said: "STV2 is the first commercial TV channel with a distinct schedule for Scotland and we're excited to confirm the channel will launch on Monday 24th April.

"STV2 has Scotland at its core with an entertaining mix of local, Scottish and international content. Our flagship news programme, STV News Tonight, will air every weeknight as part of a diverse schedule including a daily live magazine show, programming showcasing key cultural events and local sport plus top quality drama and entertainment."

STV2 will reach approximately 85% of viewers in STV's transmission area. In addition to Freeview, access will be available online and via Sky and Virgin. The service will also be available online via the STV Player.

STV2 will be delivered in partnership with further education colleges and universities from across the country, including Glasgow Caledonian University in Glasgow and Edinburgh Napier University in Edinburgh, Robert Gordon University and North East Scotland College in Aberdeen, the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) in Ayr, and Abertay University and Dundee and Angus College in Dundee. The team will work with students on a range of offerings, including placements, internships, training and guest lecturing.

Ends

For further information, please contact the STV press office:-

Katie Martin

0141 3003109

katie.martin@stv.tv 

Notes to editors

About STV

STV is Scotland's leading digital media brand, providing consumers with quality content on air, online and on demand.

STV's broadcast channel reaches 3.5 million viewers each month with first class programming including soaps Emmerdale and Coronation Street, big drama productions, entertainment hits The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent, strong home-grown productions and the most comprehensive local news service in the UK.

STV Productions is one of the UK's leading content businesses, with ambitious plans for domestic and international growth. The company has a record of success across a range of genres including drama, factual and entertainment, producing a wide range of programmes for a variety of networks, including entertainment show Catchphrase for ITV, ratings success Antiques Road Trip for BBC One, Safeword for ITV2 and documentaries such as Dunblane: Our Story for BBC2 and The Queen Mary: Greatest Ocean Liner, a documentary for BBC Scotland, BBC Four and Smithsonian Channel.

STV's digital business incorporates Scotland's most popular commercial media website, stv.tv, and includes an enhanced digital news app serving consumers local, national and international news as well as features, sport and weather in one place. The STV Player offers consumers within STV's licence areas in Scotland the opportunity to enjoy programmes live or on catch-up.

STV content is available across platforms including iOS, Android, Windows 8, YouView and Samsung Smart TV.

STV holds L-DTPS licences for Ayr, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow. STV's existing city TV channels for Glasgow and Edinburgh will be rebranded and combined with three new licences for Aberdeen, Ayr and Dundee under one distinct brand, STV2. The channel will broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week on Freeview channel 8, Sky channel 117, Virgin channel 159 and will be streamed online via the STV Player.

The new STV2 channel will be a single programme service across Scotland that includes local material from all five licence areas in line with individual licence commitments.